The county's rustic beauty has drawn residents from throughout the country, who flock here because of its rural charm, spacious and sprawling land, system of idyllic lakes and rivers, and proximity to Research Triangle Park, as well as to some of the world's finest universities.
Its more casual, laid-back style is evidenced in the managed growth the county has experienced over the years. This managed growth is continuing, as evidenced by developments springing up throughout the county's eastern edge.
There are approximately 15,000 housing units and 2.5 million square feet of space under construction or approved for construction within Chatham County, with developers working tirelessly to bring mid-level and upscale housing, as well as commercial offerings. Fortunately, many of these new projects are incorporating environmentally conscious practices, keeping in line with the county's traditional focus on preserving natural beauty.
Population boom
According to the Triangle J Council of Governments, it is estimated that the county's population will increase by 244 percent from now to 2035. It already has grown by 57 percent over the past 15 years.
“The most dramatic shift has been the increased pace of residential development and population growth,” says Dianne Reid, president of the Chatham County Economic Development Corp.
From 2000 to 2006, Chatham County's population grew by about 10,000 — or 21 percent — from 49,000 to 60,000 residents, or 85 residents per square mile. Location has played a key factor in this growth.
“We're strategically located midway between Research Triangle Park and the Piedmont, thus being able to capitalize on growth in both regions,” Reid notes.
“Our physical beauty and the abundance of natural and cultural resources also makes us an extremely attractive place in which to live.”
Small-town charm
At the heart of this population boom is Pittsboro, a scenic town that is expected to account for 40,000 of the estimated 120,000 residents predicted by 2035.
“Pittsboro is a diamond in the rough,” says Rick A. Murray, manager of Castle Creek Realty LLC, which has an office in town.
“You can't come and visit without wanting to stay.”
Among Pittsboro's many new residential developments are Potterstone Village at the south end of town, which will include about 100 custom-built homes situated on large lots; Powell Place, with single-family homes from the low $400,000s and townhomes beginning in the $150,000s; and Baldwin Peak, a gated community featuring 28 estate homesites on large, heavily wooded lots.
Commercially, developers of Main Street Station — an office, restaurant and retail property located at a former railroad station and commerce hub — hope to enhance Pittsboro's small-town charm.
“After listening to several great stories about how influential this property used to be, I knew I had to design and build a project that reminded people of Pittsboro's past while providing a solid landmark for bolstering its future,” says Heath Williamson, managing member of EquiBuilders Development Partners LLC, owner and manager of the project.
Just north of downtown, near the intersection of Highway 15-501 and U.S. Highway 64, Powell Place is coming out of the ground.
“The concept for Powell Place is similar to Meadowmont in Chapel Hill, but on a smaller, more affordable scale,” says Bryson Powell, a project manager with East West Partners, developer of both projects.
“It's more of a laid-back lifestyle,” Powell says of the company's decision to locate in Pittsboro. “There's no traffic or in-your-face commercial centers. It has a small-town charm you can't find in Raleigh or Durham.”
Once completed, the neighborhood — which currently is in its second phase of development — will include 300 single-family homes and townhomes, 360 apartment units, a village center, town park, and hotel.
“We just figured that we could offer an affordability that you can't find in Chapel Hill, Apex or Cary,” Powell says. “That, along with some great amenities such as Jordan Lake and The Streets at Southpoint nearby, makes us pretty close to everything.”
Powell Place also will feature the Village Center, a commercial entity developed by Grubb & Ellis|Thomas Linderman Graham. Plans call for a 40,000-square-foot grocery store, as well as 300,000 square feet of service and destination retail, 100,000 square feet of office space, and more than 60 homesites.
This booming area also features a mix of commercial development at Bellemont Station, which includes a Lowe's Home Improvement, Carolina Brewery, and other retail sites. Developed by Pittsboro-based Ricky Spoon Builders Inc., it also includes a residential portion called Bellemont Point, which will include 500 homes.
Country living
Many new developments are taking shape outside Pittsboro as well.
The Hamptons, a luxury community featuring 88 homesites ranging from 1 to 6 acres in size and estate homes priced between $1 million and $2 million, is situated on 182 acres near Fearrington Village.
Construction on the development began last year, with 39 homesites currently developed and the remaining 49 sites available by the end of the year.
Topography was a factor when choosing the development, according to Rex Vick Jr., CEO of Windjam Development Group.
“Burnette Mountain is the focal point of The Hamptons, with its vista sites in addition to the large, slightly wooded pastoral sites,” he says. “Close proximity to 15-501, Fearrington Village and Jordan Lake also played a role.”
Encompassing more than 1,500 acres is Briar Chapel, another new community off 15-501 that will feature homes ranging from the $200,000s to $800,000s.
Developed by Newland Communities, the mixed-use neighborhood will feature approximately 2,500 homesites, as well as two schools and its own water-treatment facility. Its walkable design will incorporate traditional aspects as well as smart growth land-use planning; upon completion, Briar Chapel will have approximately 900 acres of open space with extensive trails, natural woodlands, and creeks. It also will feature landscaped common areas, miniature parks with neighborhood villages, a county park with recreational fields and trails, county public library, fire station and sheriff's substation, and village market.
Similar to many other developments currently under way, Briar Chapel will incorporate sustainable building practices. In fact, all Newland-built commercial and amenities buildings will be constructed using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
Northwest of Briar Chapel is Bingham Ridge — billed as a new neighborhood of high-efficiency homes for energy-conscious people — which features 39 homesite on 123 acres, including solar homes.
“It's a community where every home is designed to use 40 to 50 percent less energy to heat and cool than conventionally built homes, and it has a solar hot-water system,” says Betty Cross, real estate broker and co-owner of Silverwood Inc., a Hillsborough-based agency that is designing and selling homes in the community.
“Also, each home has a solar electric array that generates electricity for sale into Progress Energy's grid and provides back-up power for the home.”
Near Jordan Lake, Windfall — a new neighborhood developed by Contentnea Creek Development Co. and marketed by Standout Properties — is taking shape. Once completed, it will feature 73 homesites, each on five-acre lots.
“The location is prime, but its large lots and rolling terrain are the icing on the cake,” says Stan Pickett, broker and owner of Standout Properties.
“It's rural and quiet, but still easily accessible to town and city life.”
Legend Oaks, developed by Orleans Homes, will feature single-family homes on large lots priced from the low $400,000s. These upscale homes also are being constructed with energy conservation in mind.
In Siler City, several new-home neighborhoods are under construction, including Harmony Hills, Westmont, Thornridge, Rivers Edge, Larkington and Bray Park, an eco-friendly development. In all, the town has added 776 residential units within its planning jurisdiction since 2000.
But the largest of the county's projects has left most in the dark. While rumors run rampant about Cary-based Preston Development's 6,500-acre piece of property at Pittsboro's outskirts — including plans for a miniature Research Triangle Park — owner Tim Smith is quick to note that no plans have been solidified.
“We're working with water and sewer right now,” he says. “We're just in the preliminary stages of what this property will be.”
Managing growth
This county-wide growth is not without its challenges, however.
“We're facing exponential growth if the plans that developers keep showing us come to fruition,” says Bill Terry, Pittsboro's town manager. “We're not just talking about a little bit of growth here.”
However, he's quick to point out that it's a better time than ever to be part of it.
“It's almost like an artist coming in to a clean sheet of paper; it's exciting to be part of the beginning and formulate what the picture's going to look like,” Terry says. “The town board is helping us take that blank piece of paper and make the end result something that makes folks proud.
“One thing the Chatham County Board of Commissioners has made clear to me is that sooner or later, growth will arrive at our doorstep,” Terry adds. “They accept the idea that growth isn't something that can be prevented, but they want to make sure it's done in a reasonable fashion.”
County leaders also are working to ensure that water and wastewater issues are resolved sooner rather than later.
Already, plans are in the works for distribution-line upgrades at Jordan Lake's water plant, which would expand capacity to 7 million gallons per day. The plan, which will cost approximately $21 million, is expected to be completed in 2010.
The county also has tentative agreements with the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), as well as the cities of Durham and Cary, for new regional intakes on Jordan Lake and a new water plant, with increased allocation for Chatham County.
In Siler City, the town has a project currently under way to expand its reservoir to meet current and future water needs, according to Jack Meadows, director of planning and community development.
Major inroads in transportation also have helped alleviate any growing pains Chatham County might encounter.
“We've been able to update, widen and enhance some of the roads in Chatham County in anticipation of growing traffic volume,” says Lyndo Tippett, secretary of the N.C. Department of Transportation.
“Many of those projects involve 15-501, Pittsboro and Highway 64.”
Danielle Jackson is editor of Wake Living and Fifteen501 m agazines.
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